A collector ring with liquid anti-icing function

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of aircraft rotor anti-icing systems and relates to a collector ring with a liquid anti-icing function. While retaining the collector ring's function of transmitting power and electrical signals, it adds a liquid anti-icing function to reduce onboard power loss. It adopts an integrated stepped structure, with a core body designed with holes and slots for wires to pass through and a liquid transmission pipeline. When an electrical signal is transmitted to the liquid anti-icing system to activate anti-icing, the anti-icing liquid enters the distribution ring through the liquid transmission pipeline inside the shaft and then enters the various passages of the base. After passing through a constant pressure valve inside the base, the anti-icing liquid is sprayed by a nozzle at the rotor root. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor distributes the anti-icing liquid along the span, forming a mixed liquid with liquid water to prevent ice from forming on the rotor surface. This realizes the integration of signal transmission and de-icing actuators, reduces the power loss of onboard electric heating de-icing, and achieves the effect of quickly removing ice from the blades. The collector ring has a sophisticated overall structure and great practical application value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of aircraft rotor anti-icing and de-icing systems, and relates to a slip ring with liquid anti-icing and de-icing functions. Background Art

[0002] To reduce energy consumption and compensation losses in rotorcraft de-icing systems, anti-icing fluid is continuously supplied to the de-icing surfaces. This fluid mixes with water collected from the aircraft surface, preventing the water from freezing. However, conventional slip rings only transmit electrical signals and provide power to the aircraft's heating components. They lack the ability to transmit and distribute liquid anti-icing fluid, making them incapable of providing rotor de-icing functionality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a slip ring with liquid anti-icing function and electric heating deicing function.

[0004] Technical Solution

[0005] A slip ring with liquid anti-icing and de-icing function consists of a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an anti-icing fluid inlet 8, an anti-icing fluid outlet 9, a shaft 10, a conductive ring 13, an insulating bushing 14, and a locking nut 15. The conductive ring 13 and insulating bushing 14 are staggered and mounted on the shaft 10 and locked at the upper end of the shaft 10 with a locking nut 15. The anti-icing fluid inlet 8 and outlet 9 are arranged on the shaft 10. The rotor includes an outer cover 2, a brush holder 3, a constant pressure valve 4, a nozzle 5, a base 6, a lip seal 7, a cover plate 11, and an upper cover 16. The brush holder 3 is fixed to the base 6 by tightening screws. The upper end of the outer cover 2 is connected to the upper cover 16 by screws, and the lower end is fixed to the base 6 by bolts. The cover plate 11 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 10 for sealing and protection. The constant pressure valve 4, nozzle 5, and distribution ring 12 are arranged on the base 6. While the electric heating de-icing system is active, the liquid anti-icing function can be activated simultaneously. De-icing fluid flows through shaft 10, base 6, and constant-pressure valve 4 to nozzle 5, which sprays the anti-icing fluid onto the rotor root. The centrifugal force generated by the rotor's rotation distributes the anti-icing fluid at the rotor root along its spanwise direction. This causes the anti-icing fluid to mix with the impinging water on the rotor surface, forming a mixture of anti-icing fluid and liquid water. This mixture has a freezing point lower than the component surface temperature under flight conditions, reducing the energy loss of the onboard electric heating de-icing system and achieving rapid blade ice removal.

[0006] The two bearings 1 are mounted on the shaft 10 of the integral structure, which can ensure the precise coaxiality of the bearings 1. The two bearings 1 ensure the smooth rotation of the stator and rotor of the device.

[0007] The shaft 10 of the device adopts a stepped solid structure, and a wire hole groove is designed in the center of the shaft 10 for transmitting the collector ring heating electricity.

[0008] A liquid transmission pipeline is designed on the shaft 10 for transmitting the anti-icing liquid from the stator end to the rotor end.

[0009] The base 6 of the device is internally designed with a liquid transmission pipeline, and a constant pressure valve 4 is used in the pipeline to ensure the pressure at the nozzle, wherein the constant pressure valve 4 can adjust the pressure at the nozzle by adjusting the spring.

[0010] There is an annular distribution ring 12 between the device shaft 10 and the rotor base 6 to ensure that each liquid transmission pipeline of the base 6 has deicing liquid and the liquid pressure is the same.

[0011] The base 6 of the device is equipped with a nozzle 5 at the outlet of the liquid pipeline, wherein the spray distance and flow rate of the liquid can be changed by adjusting the size of the nozzle 5. At the same time, the nozzle is connected by a thread, and the nozzle can be replaced with other external spraying devices according to actual conditions.

[0012] The brushes in the brush holder 3 of the device are in sliding contact with the conductive ring 13 to realize the transmission of power and electric signals, which can provide the helicopter with the functions of electric signal transmission control and electric energy heating and anti-icing.

[0013] Technical Effects

[0014] Traditional helicopter anti-icing systems rely on electricity to heat and de-ice the rotors, consuming significant amounts of onboard electrical energy during operation. The present invention utilizes a collector ring capable of transmitting and distributing anti-icing fluid, which has a liquid anti-icing function. While retaining the collector ring's ability to transmit power and electrical signals, it leverages existing structures to add liquid anti-icing functionality and reduce onboard electrical energy loss. The shaft of this device utilizes an integrated stepped structure, its core cylinder designed with holes and slots for wires to pass through, as well as a liquid transmission pipeline. When an electrical signal is transmitted to the liquid anti-icing system to activate anti-icing, the anti-icing fluid enters the distribution ring through the liquid transmission pipeline inside the shaft and then into the various passages in the base. The anti-icing fluid passes through the constant-pressure valve inside the base and is sprayed at the root of the rotor by the nozzle. It is distributed along the span direction due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor, forming a mixed liquid with liquid water to prevent icing from occurring on the rotor surface. This realizes the integration of signal transmission and de-icing actuators, reduces the power loss of the on-board electric heating de-icing, and achieves the effect of quickly removing the ice layer on the blades. The overall structure of the collector ring is sophisticated and has great practical application value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the liquid anti-icing system;

[0016] Figure 2This is a diagram of the liquid passages of the liquid anti-deicing collector ring;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the liquid anti-icing collector ring.

[0018] Among them, 1-bearing, 2-outer cover, 3-brush holder, 4-constant pressure valve, 5-nozzle, 6-base, 7-lip seal, 8-anti-icing fluid inlet, 9-anti-icing fluid outlet, 10-shaft, 11-cover, 12-distribution ring, 13-conductive ring, 14-insulating bushing, 15-locking nut, 16-upper cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the following embodiments. The following are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] The specific implementation of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The present invention provides a collector ring with both liquid anti-icing and electric heating deicing functions. In addition to the traditional collector ring's function of transmitting electric heating deicing, it can also serve as an actuator for liquid anti-icing, transmitting and distributing anti-icing fluid. The shaft of this collector ring is internally designed with holes and grooves for wires to pass through and liquid transmission pipelines. When an electrical signal to activate anti-icing is received, deicing fluid enters the distribution ring through the liquid transmission pipeline inside the shaft. After passing through a constant pressure valve inside the base, it is sprayed by a nozzle onto the rotor root. The centrifugal force generated by the rotor distributes the deicing fluid along the span, forming a mixed liquid with liquid water. The freezing point of the mixed liquid is lower than the aircraft surface temperature, preventing the water from freezing on the aircraft surface, thereby fulfilling the anti-icing function.

[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the anti-icing fluid supply system of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, when an electrical signal is received to start the anti-icing and de-icing system, the pump starts to operate, pumping the anti-icing fluid from the fuel tank to the liquid transmission pipeline, and then entering the liquid transmission pipeline in the collecting ring after being pressurized by the valve. The initial pressure of the anti-icing fluid can be adjusted by the valve in the passage. Figure 2 This is the liquid channel diagram of the liquid anti-deicing collector ring, such as Figure 2As shown, anti-icing fluid with a certain pressure enters the liquid transmission pipeline inside the collecting ring shaft through the interface. A liquid distribution ring is designed on the side where the shaft and the base are in contact. The distribution ring can ensure that the anti-icing fluid entering the five evenly distributed liquid transmission pipelines on the seat has the same pressure. The anti-icing fluid reaches the distribution ring through the liquid transmission pipeline inside the shaft, and then the anti-icing fluid with the same pressure enters the liquid transmission pipeline of the base through the distribution ring. Each channel in the base is provided with an adjustable constant pressure valve. The anti-icing fluid reaches the nozzle through the constant pressure valve. The constant pressure valve can ensure that the anti-icing fluid pressure at the nozzle meets the usage requirements. The nozzle sprays the anti-icing fluid to the rotor root and distributes it along the span direction with the centrifugal force generated by the rotor.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the collector ring with liquid anti-icing function and electric heating deicing of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the device of the present invention consists of a stator and rotor. The stator includes an anti-icing fluid inlet 8, an anti-icing fluid outlet 9, a shaft 10, a conductive ring 13, an insulating bushing 14, and a lock nut 15. The conductive rings 13 and insulating bushing 14 are staggered and mounted on the shaft 10 and locked at the upper end of the shaft 10 with a lock nut 15. The anti-icing fluid inlet 8 and outlet 9 are located on the shaft 10. The rotor includes an outer cover 2, a brush holder 3, a constant pressure valve 4, a nozzle 5, a base 6, a lip seal 7, a cover plate 11, and an upper cover 16. The device is composed of multiple conductive rings, some of which are used to transmit electrical signals to achieve the electric heating deicing function. They also provide input and feedback signals for the liquid anti-icing system, achieving a closed-loop system. The liquid anti-icing function is achieved through a liquid transmission channel between the shaft 10 and the base 6, a distribution ring, a constant pressure valve, and a nozzle. It realizes the integration of signal transmission and de-icing actuator, reduces the power loss of on-board electric heating de-icing, and achieves the effect of quickly removing ice from the blades. The overall structure of the collector ring is sophisticated and has great practical application value.

[0024] A slip ring with liquid anti-icing and de-icing functions consists of a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an anti-icing fluid inlet 8, an anti-icing fluid outlet 9, a shaft 10, a conductive ring 13, an insulating bushing 14, and a lock nut 15. The conductive ring 13 and insulating bushing 14 are staggered and mounted on the shaft 10 and locked with the lock nut 15 at the upper end. The anti-icing fluid inlet 8 and outlet 9 are located on the shaft 10. The rotor includes an outer cover 2, a brush holder 3, a constant pressure valve 4, a nozzle 5, a base 6, a lip seal 7, a cover plate 11, and an upper cover 16. The brush holder 3 is secured to the base 6 by tightening screws. The upper end of the outer cover 2 is connected to the upper cover 16 by screws, and the lower end is fixed to the base 6 by bolts. The cover plate 11 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 10 for sealing and protection. The constant pressure valve 4, nozzle 5, and distribution ring 12 are located on the base 6. While the electric heating de-icing system is active, the liquid anti-icing function can be activated simultaneously. De-icing fluid flows through shaft 10, base 6, and constant-pressure valve 4 to nozzle 5, which sprays the anti-icing fluid onto the rotor root. The centrifugal force generated by the rotor's rotation distributes the anti-icing fluid at the rotor root along its spanwise direction. This causes the anti-icing fluid to mix with the impinging water on the rotor surface, forming a mixture of anti-icing fluid and liquid water. This mixture has a freezing point lower than the component surface temperature under flight conditions, reducing the energy loss of the onboard electric heating de-icing system and achieving rapid blade ice removal.

[0025] The device's two bearings 1 are mounted on a single-piece shaft 10, ensuring precise coaxiality and smooth rotation of the stator and rotor. Shaft 10 employs a stepped, solid structure, with a centrally located conductor slot for transmitting collector ring heating power. Shaft 10 also incorporates a liquid transmission line for transferring anti-icing fluid from the stator to the rotor.

[0026] The base 6 of the device is internally designed with a liquid transmission pipeline, and a constant pressure valve 4 is used in the pipeline to ensure the pressure at the nozzle, wherein the constant pressure valve 4 can adjust the pressure at the nozzle by adjusting the spring.

[0027] A circular distribution ring 12 is provided between the stator shaft 10 and the rotor base 6 of the device, ensuring that each liquid transmission pipeline of the base 6 is supplied with deicing liquid and that the liquid pressure is the same. A nozzle 5 is installed at the outlet of the liquid pipeline of the base 6 of the device, wherein the spray distance and flow rate of the liquid can be changed by adjusting the size of the nozzle 5. At the same time, the nozzle is threadedly connected, and the nozzle can be replaced with other external spray devices according to actual conditions. The sliding contact between the brushes in the brush holder 3 of the device and the conductive ring 13 realizes the transmission of power and electrical signals, which can provide the helicopter with the functions of electrical signal transmission control and electric heating and anti-icing. The stator and rotor of the device are compact in structure, making full use of the structural space. The liquid anti-icing function is added to the space for electric heating and deicing without increasing the structural size, and the design is reasonable.

[0028] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art in the field to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with those in the context of the prior art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless defined as such here. The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A slip ring with liquid anti-icing function, characterized in that: It consists of a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator includes an anti-icing liquid inlet, an anti-icing liquid outlet, a shaft, a conductive ring, an insulating bushing, and a locking nut, wherein the conductive ring and the insulating bushing are staggeredly installed on the shaft and locked with a locking nut at the upper end of the shaft; the anti-icing liquid inlet and anti-icing liquid outlet structures are arranged on the shaft; the rotor includes an outer cover, a brush holder, a constant pressure valve, a nozzle, a base, a lip seal, a cover plate, and an upper cover, the brush holder is fixed to the base by tightening the screws, the upper end of the outer cover is connected to the upper cover by screws, and the lower end is fixed to the base by bolts, the cover plate is installed at the lower end of the shaft for sealing protection, and a constant pressure valve, nozzle and distribution ring structure are arranged on the base; there is a circular distribution ring between the shaft and the rotor base to ensure that each liquid transmission pipeline of the base has deicing liquid and the liquid pressure is high The base is slightly different from the base in that it has a nozzle installed at the outlet of the liquid pipeline, wherein the spray distance and flow rate of the liquid can be changed by adjusting the size of the nozzle. At the same time, the nozzle is connected with a thread, and the nozzle can be replaced with other external spray devices according to actual conditions. When the electric heating de-icing is turned on, the liquid anti-icing function can be turned on. The de-icing liquid reaches the nozzle through the shaft, the base, and the constant pressure valve. The nozzle sprays the anti-icing liquid to the root of the rotor, and relies on the centrifugal force generated when the rotor rotates to distribute the anti-icing liquid at the root of the rotor along the span direction. The anti-icing liquid is mixed with the water impacting the rotor surface to form a mixed liquid of anti-icing liquid and liquid water. The freezing point of the mixed liquid is lower than the surface temperature of the components under flight conditions, which reduces the power loss of the onboard electric heating de-icing and achieves the effect of quickly removing the ice layer on the blades.

2. The slip ring with liquid anti-icing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two bearings are mounted on the shaft of the integral structure to ensure precise coaxiality of the bearings. The two bearings ensure the smooth rotation of the stator and rotor of the device.

3. The slip ring with liquid anti-icing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shaft adopts a stepped solid structure, and a wire hole slot is designed in the center of the shaft for transmitting the collector ring heating electricity.

4. The slip ring with liquid anti-icing function according to claim 3, characterized in that: A liquid transmission pipeline is designed on the shaft to transmit anti-icing liquid from the stator end to the rotor end.

5. The slip ring with liquid anti-icing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid transmission pipeline is designed inside the base, and a constant pressure valve is used in the pipeline to ensure the pressure at the nozzle. The constant pressure valve can adjust the pressure at the nozzle by adjusting the spring.

6. The slip ring with liquid anti-icing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding contact between the brushes in the brush holder and the conductive ring realizes the transmission of power and electrical signals, which can provide the helicopter with the functions of electrical signal transmission control and electric heating and anti-icing.

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